Coronation Street star Anita Carey has passed away at 75
We here at Seniors Discount Club are deeply saddened to report that beloved British actress Anita Carey–best known for her roles in Coronation Street and Doctors–passed away at the age of 75. Her agent confirmed the news.
Carey passed away after bravely living with a breast cancer diagnosis for 13 years. Despite receiving the diagnosis more than a decade ago, the mother of two persevered, actively participating in stage performances and television appearances in the United States.
It is understood that she died on July 19 and that the information has only recently been made public.
Yorkshire-born Carey was a seasoned television star with a career spanning decades. She first made a mark on TV in 1973, playing Susan Chambers in the British sitcom Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?. She then went on to make a name for herself in TV comedy, starring as Miss Heasman in the touring theatre show Butley that same year.
In 1978, Carey turned to soap acting, being offered the role of Brenda Summers as a victim of violence in Coronation Street. But that wasn't the last time we saw her on the program. Carey made a huge comeback to the show in 1996, this time playing Joyce Smedley, the debt-ridden mother of Judy Mallett (Gaynor Faye).
But despite being brought back by then-producer Brian Park in a bid to boost viewing figures, Carey's time on the beloved street was cut short after her role was axed in 1997 when she was the first actor to film her exit in what was dubbed at the time 'the cast cull'.
After her run in Coronation Street, Carey starred in A Kind of Living and also made her two-year return to the BBC One soap Doctors in 2007 as Vivien March.
The prolific actress also had roles in other productions over the years, such as One-Upmanship, Beryl's Lot, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, The Spoils of War, Hobson’s Choice, and an ITV adaptation of Jeffrey Archer's novel First Among Equals.
Carey was also married to fellow actor Mark Wing-Davey, whom she first met in 1973 and married in 2002. The couple moved to New York in 2008 after he became chairman of the graduate acting programme at New York University.
As news of her passing spread, there was an outpouring of emotion and love for the star across social media, with tributes from fans and production crew of the shows she had been in to honour her memory.
One fan wrote, ‘Really sad to read about the death of Anita Carey. I remember watching her in Doctors and she was incredible during Vivian's r**e story, which rightfully won awards. A brilliant actress. RIP.’
Steve Hughes, former Doctors director, expressed his sadness on social media, ‘Sad to hear that Anita Carey has passed. I really enjoyed working with her on Doctors back in the day.’
‘Saddened to hear about Anita Carey. She was a joy to write for as Vivien on Doctors and it was great to meet her once at the soap awards,’ Doctors writer Roland Moore posted.
While it's always distressing to hear news of her passing, we can take comfort in the fact that Anita Carey left behind a legacy of incredible and diverse performances that will be remembered for generations.
Rest in peace, Anita Carey.
Carey passed away after bravely living with a breast cancer diagnosis for 13 years. Despite receiving the diagnosis more than a decade ago, the mother of two persevered, actively participating in stage performances and television appearances in the United States.
It is understood that she died on July 19 and that the information has only recently been made public.
In 1978, Carey turned to soap acting, being offered the role of Brenda Summers as a victim of violence in Coronation Street. But that wasn't the last time we saw her on the program. Carey made a huge comeback to the show in 1996, this time playing Joyce Smedley, the debt-ridden mother of Judy Mallett (Gaynor Faye).
But despite being brought back by then-producer Brian Park in a bid to boost viewing figures, Carey's time on the beloved street was cut short after her role was axed in 1997 when she was the first actor to film her exit in what was dubbed at the time 'the cast cull'.
After her run in Coronation Street, Carey starred in A Kind of Living and also made her two-year return to the BBC One soap Doctors in 2007 as Vivien March.
The prolific actress also had roles in other productions over the years, such as One-Upmanship, Beryl's Lot, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, The Spoils of War, Hobson’s Choice, and an ITV adaptation of Jeffrey Archer's novel First Among Equals.
Carey was also married to fellow actor Mark Wing-Davey, whom she first met in 1973 and married in 2002. The couple moved to New York in 2008 after he became chairman of the graduate acting programme at New York University.
As news of her passing spread, there was an outpouring of emotion and love for the star across social media, with tributes from fans and production crew of the shows she had been in to honour her memory.
One fan wrote, ‘Really sad to read about the death of Anita Carey. I remember watching her in Doctors and she was incredible during Vivian's r**e story, which rightfully won awards. A brilliant actress. RIP.’
Steve Hughes, former Doctors director, expressed his sadness on social media, ‘Sad to hear that Anita Carey has passed. I really enjoyed working with her on Doctors back in the day.’
‘Saddened to hear about Anita Carey. She was a joy to write for as Vivien on Doctors and it was great to meet her once at the soap awards,’ Doctors writer Roland Moore posted.
Key Takeaways
- Coronation Street and Doctors star Anita Carey has sadly passed away at 75, as confirmed by her agent.
- Carey, born in Yorkshire, portrayed characters such as Brenda Summers and Joyce Smedley in Coronation Street and Vivien March in BBC One’s Doctors.
- The actress’ career spanned several decades and genres, including comedy, drama and soap, and she took on various roles in television, theatre and sitcom.
- Apart from her exceptional acting career, Carey's personal life included a love story with fellow actor Mark Wing-Davey, whom she met in 1973 and married in 2002.
- Despite receiving a breast cancer diagnosis 13 years ago, Carey continued working on stage and TV shows in the United States.
While it's always distressing to hear news of her passing, we can take comfort in the fact that Anita Carey left behind a legacy of incredible and diverse performances that will be remembered for generations.
Rest in peace, Anita Carey.
Last edited by a moderator: